Forming apparatus



T. H. SEELY. FORMING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 17, 1918- 1,375,802. Patented p 26, 1921;

4 SHEETSHEET 1- F1? 1. Wm rm.- g w T. H. SEELY.

FORMING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 17, 1918.

1,375,802. Patented Apr. 26, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

T. H. SEEL'Y. FORMING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 17, IBIS'1,375,802, PatentedApr. 26, 1921;

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

mag;

I ///,I//////// //////////,r////,

T. H.'SEELY. FORMING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 17, 1918- 1,375,802.

Patented Apr. 26, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS H. SEELY, OF MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOEMACHINERY CORPORATION, 01" PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEWJERSEY.

FORMING APPARATUS- Application filed October 17, 1918.

T 0 aZlw/wm it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS H. SEELY, acitizen of the United States, residing at Maiden, in the county ofMiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvementsin Forming Apparatus, of which the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like referencecharacters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to forming apparatus and particularly to thoseemployed for .molding such objects as leggings. Heretofore work of thischaracter has been accomplished, so far as I am aware, bycinploying maleand female molds the co operating pressure surfaces of which are partialdevelopments of a form generally corresponding in contour to the portionof the leg over which the legging is to fit, the separated edges ofthese pressure surfaces being usually about 180 apart, or by using arelatively small number of outer mold sections which are connected tomove together. The firstmentioned arrangement tends to set the legging.in an incorrect curve, the legging being at the end of the moldingoperation open or trough shaped, leaving it dependent upon the fasteningmeans to bring it to the proper form in use. Furthermore, in makingeither of these types of molds it is necessary to use great care to havethe pressure surfaces equally spaced from one another throughout toobtain uniform pressure over the entire area of material operated upon.

An object of the present invention is to furnish readily constructedmeans for approximating by the molding operation the true shape of thelegging. To attain this end, inner and outer molds are employed, thematerial or blank to be formed being placed about the inner, which ispreferably of leg shape and with which the outer mold cooperates throughmore than half its circumference. One of the molds, in the presentinstance the outer, consists of series of independently movablesections, which are shown as also yieldable, each with a pressuresurface conforming to the portion of the form with which it cooperates.This independence of movement and capability for yield insuressufficient uniformity of pres- Specification of Letters Patent.

of Fig. 3-

Patented Apr. 26, 1921.

Serial No. 253,597. 7

sure without requiring very perfect agreement of form betweenthe outerand inner molds. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, aplurality of guideways radiate from the leg form, being arranged in acircumferential series, and in each guideway is a longitudinal series ofpressure sections moved toward the form by an actuating member, as acam, which is common to the longitudinal series.

A further 0b ect of the invention is to so actuate the mold sectionsthat the pressure.

sections or longitudinal series at each side thereof. This relativemovement may be obtained by the z rrangement of the cams or otheactuating members. for the sections.

Other features of my invention will be developed in the followingdescription and claims, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure l is a front elevation of a particular machineillustrating the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation looking from the right, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial elevation of the rear end of the machine, withportions broken away;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the-line44c 7 ig. 5 is a horizontalsection on the line of Fig. 1; V Fig. is vertical section on the line 66-6 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 shows in perspective adjacent pres sure plates, consideredcircumferentially of the form.

Upon a base 10 are mounted front and rear end frames 12 and 14,respectively, connected by the tie rods 16 which support.

guide bars 18. Formed between adjacent bars are guideways 20, here shownas five in number, which radiate in a circumferential series from aninner mold member '22. This member is furnished by a leg-form having thecontour of the calf and ankle portions of the leg. The form is supportedby a horizontal spindle 24 fixed to the upper portion of the rear frame14, it being free to move longitudinally so that it may be applied to orremoved from the machine, en,- abling the operator to use forms ofdifferent dimensions. It is held against rotation on the spindle by apin 26 projecting from the frame 14 and entering a recess 28 in the adjacent end of the form. The spindle 24 is preferably hollow to receive aheating de- Vicewhich I have illustrated as a steam pipe 30 extendingthrough openings in spaced plates 32, 32. These plates support the pipesand being located at the ends of the form, tend to retain the heat whereit is desired to utilize it. Each of the guideways 20 contains movablepres are members furnishing a sectional outer mold. The pres suremembers consist of relatively thin plates 34 situated side by side incontact with one another in continuous longitudinal series, the endplates of each series resting against the frames 12 and 14. Each platemay be recessed at36 and have a circular opening of considerablediameter, shown at 38, serving in part to decrease the bulk of material.The edge 40 of each plate adjacent to the form is curved along its widthand thickmess to conform to the opposite form surface, the combinededges 40 providing the pressure surface of the outer mold. To renderthis sectional surface as nearly as possible continuous, the corners ofthe plates of adjacent longitudinal series overlap, being cut away at 42to permit this.

ach pressure member is preferably formed in two portions, there beingoutside the inner, or pressure element proper, a plate 44 sliding in theways 20. At the inner edge of each of the plates 44 is a series ofrecesses to receive helical springs 46, the ends of which project beyondthe plate 44 and bear against the adjacent edge of the correspondingplate 34. The last-named plates are thus allowed to yield andaccommodate themselves to irregularities of the surface against whichthey rest when pressure is applied to the plates 44. At the outer edgeof each of the plates 44 is mounted an antifriction roll 48, and withthe rolls of caca longitudinal series of plates, or those in each of theguideways contacts a common actuating member, shown as a cam 50. Eachcam is rotatably supported by spindles 52, 52 at its extremities, one ofthese spindles being journaled in the frame 12 and the other in abear-in plate held in a circular opening in the frame 14 by a set screw55. By removing any one of the plates 53, the corresponding cam may bedrawn through the opening without disturbing the other portions of theframe. The cams are simultaneously rotated from an operating shaft 54journaled near the lower portion of the frames 12 and 14, the shaftbeing turned in the present instance by a hand wheel 56 fixed to its endoutside the frame 12. Fast upon the shaft 54 outside the rear frame 14is a pinion 58 meshing with a gear 60 upon the lowest or central camspindle. liotatable upon the frame 14 are idler gears 62, 62 whichcommunicate the rotation through pinions '64, 64 fast on the spindle ofthe next pair of cams at each side of the central cam. Similarly placedidler pinions 66, 66 further transmit the movement to the upper andouter pair of cams through gears 68, 68 fixed upon the cam spindles.

The cams for all the series of pressure members are preferably identicalin form. Each has a portion 0, which, when the antifriction roll 48 ofthe outer portion of the pressure members is in contact with it, permitssaid members to rest clear of the form, to enable the operator tointroduce the material. Beyond the portion 0 in the direction from whichthe cams turn, as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 6, is a portiond servin to force in the pressure members until they act upon thematerial surrounding the form. This pressure is maintained for a time bya portion 0 of each cam, and beyond this is a portion f which allows thepressure members to return to their normalpositions with theanti-friction rolls again in contact with th portion 0. The cams are sotimed that the longitudinal series are caused to apply their pressuressuccessively about the circumference of the form. As shown, the lowestor central series comes first into action. Thereafter the series on eachside are actuated simultaneously, and finally the two upper series areoperated together. The extent of the portions 0 and e of the cams aresuch that all the series may simultaneously occupy their positions ofwithdrawal from the work and pressure against it. The return to normalof the central series of pressure members may be under the influence ofgravity, since their movement vertical, and their weight will causethem, when released by the cams, to

slide downwardly. The other pressure members, which have either littleor no component of their weight effective to withdraw them from theform, have auxiliary means for this purpose. Through the openings 88 inthe inner portions of the upper series of pressure members extend rods70 passing through slots 72 in the front and rear frames. Each rod isjoined at its ends by links 74 to the nearly vertical arms of a pair ofbell-crank levers 76 fulcrumed outside the frames upon the spindles ofthe cams. The nearly horizontal arms of the levers 7 6 are connected byrods 78 passing through slots 80 in the frames. The weight of the rods C8 is sufficient, when the pressure In the use of the apparatus formolding a blank of leather or like material to produce a legging, theoperator places thebl ank B (Fig. 6), properly tempered, about the form22, introducing it through the opening 25 in the front frame. The blankis preferably surrounded by a sheet I) of leather or other material toprevent the impressions which might be produced by the edges of thepressure members from showing in its surface, The blank and protectivesheet are together drawn about the form with their edgesin proximity toone another above the end frames, as appears in Fig. 6. Then theoperator, by rotating the hand wheel 56 in the direction of the arrow inFig. 1, causes the cams to bringthe portions e opposite theanti-friction rolls. The lowest intermediate series of pressure membersis thus first brought into contact with the material, acting uponacontinuous band along the central portion. Because of the contour oftheir edges, the members furnish a pressure surface correctly shapedfrom the form 22, and their independence of movement and yieldabilitycause them to adapt themselves to irregularities of the surface I actedupon and thus exert a substantially uniform pressure throughout. Afterthe central band is thus brought under pressure, the vmembers at eachside are moved by their cams against the material, and then theremaining or upper series of pressure members are similarly actuated. Inthis. Way the blank is gradually pressed out from its center toward itsfree edges, so that no fullness :or irregularities are produced, asmightbe the case if pressure were applied simultaneously between oppositesurfaces not properly spaced from one another, or if pressure membersnearest the free edges of the blank were brought into action before theintermediate members. The blank is then held under pressure and underthe influence of the heat from the pipe 30 by maintaining the portions 6of the cams in contact with the anti-friction rolls 48 until thematerial has acquired a more or less permanent set.

pressure members are released by turning the handwheel to'bring theportions o of the cams beneath the anti-frictionurolls. This frees thematerial, which may be withdrawn through the frameiopening 25, i theapparatus being now ready for action 11130111311- other'blank. 7

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new-and desire tosecure. by Letters Patent of the United .States is lalnra molding.apparatus, an inner and an outer mold, one of said molds includingplural series of sections, and means for actuating said series indifferent time relation.

2. Inwan apparatus for forming leggings and. the like, aninner moldaboutthe circumference of which the material to be molded isnplaced, andan outenmoldfor contact with the material about more than half thecircumference of. the inner mold, and includingsectionsmovableindependently in the molding operation.

3. In a molding apparatus an inner and an outer mold, one'of said moldsincluding a series of yielda'ble sections movable inde pendently intocooperation with. the other mold. 4:. In amolding apparatus, an innerand an outer mold, one of said molds Iincluding plural series ofsections, and means for successively moving the sections by series.

5. In a molding apparatus, an inner and an outer mold, one of saidmoldsincluding'a seriesof sections, means for successively moving saidsections, ;and means for oppositely moving the sections.

6. In ra molding apparatus, an inner and an outer mold, one of saidmolds including a series of independently movable sections, means.including gearing for moving the-soctions toward the: associated mold,and means for withdrawing the sections from the said mold. 4

7 In a molding apparatus, an inner and an outer mold,-one of said moldsincluding a series .of overlapping sections.

'8. In amolding apparatus, an inner and an outer mold, one of said moldsincluding sections extending in series circumferentially andlongitudinally along the companion mold.

9.. In an; apparatus for forming leggings, a leg-form, and a series ofpressure mem bers relatively thin in the direction of the series andhaving surfaces cooperating with and conforming to'said form.

10. In an apparatus for forming leggings, a leg-form, and seriesqofpressure members extending along the formin a plurality of directionsand having surfaces cooperating with and conforming to said form in bothdirections.

11. In an apparatus for forming leggings, a leg-form, and pressuremembers arranged in a series'longitudinally of the form and having theirpressure surfaces curved circumferentially of said form.

12. In an apparatus for forming leggings, a leg-form, and movablepressure members arranged in a series longitudinally of the form andhaving their pressure surfaces curved circumferentially of said form,the adjacent members of the series moving in contact With one another.

13. In an apparatus for forming leggings, a leg-form, and moldingmembers arranged in a plurality of series each extending longitudinallyof the form.

14. In an apparatus for forming leggings, a leg-form, and pressuremembers arranged in a plurality of series each extending longitudinallyof the form, the members of adacent series overlapping one another.

15. Inan apparatus for forming leggings, a leg-form, and pressuremembers arranged in plural series circumferentially of the form.

16. In an apparatus for forming leggings, a leg-form, movable pressuremembers arranged in a series circumferentiall of the form and embracingit for more t an half its circumference, and means contacting With eachpressure member to move it toward the form. r I

17. In an apparatus forforming leggings, a legform, pressure membersarranged in a series, and means for moving the members successively.

18. In an apparatus for forming leggings, a leg-form, pressure membersarranged in a series, and means for moving the members successively, anintermediate member being first operated.

19. In an apparatus for forming leggings, a leg-form, pressure membersarranged in a series, and means for moving the. members successively, anintermediate member being first operated and then a member at each sidethereof.

20. In an apparatus for forming leggings, a leg-form, pressure membersarranged in a pluralit of'series each extending longitudinally o thef0rm,means for operating the members of each series simultaneously, andmeans for operating the series of members successively.

21. In an apparatus for forming leggings, a leg-form, and pressuremembers arranged in plural series circumferentially of the form andbeing curved to conform thereto.

22. In an apparatus for forming leggings, a leg-form, and pressuremembers arranged in a series circumferentially of the form, adjacentmembers of the series overlapping one another.

23. In a forming apparatus, a leg-form, a plurality of gnidewaysextending therefrom, and a molding member movable in each guideway andcooperating with the form.

24. In a forming apparatus, a leg-form, a plurality of guidewaysextending therefrom, and a plurality of molding members arranged in eachguideway along the form and being movable into cooperation with theform.

25. In a forming apparatus, a leg-form, a plurality of guidewaysextending therefrom, and a plurality of molding members arranged m eachguideway and having a molding surface conforming to the form.

26. In a forming apparatus, a leg-form, a plurality of guidewaysextending therefrom, a pressure member movable in each guideway andcooperating with the form, and members operating to move the pressuremembers at different times.

27. In a forming apparatus, a leg-form, a plurality of guidewaysextending therefrom,

a pressure member movable in each guideway and cooperating with theform, and members operating first tomove an intermediate pressure memberand then members at opposite sides thereof.

28. In a forming apparatus, a leg-form, a plurality of guidewaysextending therefrom, a pressure member movable in each guideway andcooperating with the form, and members operating first to move anintermediate pressure member and then successively a plurality ofmembers at both sides thereof.

29. In a forming apparatus, a leg-form, a plurality of guidewaysextending therefrom, a plurality of molding members arranged in eachguideway along the form, and an actuating cam common to the moldingmembers in each guideway.

30. In a forming apparatus, a leg-form, a plurality of guidewaysextending therefrom, a plurality of pressure members arranged in eachguideway along the form, and an actuating cam common to the pressuremembers in each guideway, the cams being arranged to first operate thecam of an intermediate series and thereafter cams at each side thereof.

31. In a forming apparatus, a leg-form,

-a plurality of guideways extending therefrom, a plurality of pressuremembers arranged in each guideway along the form, an actuating camcommon to the pressure members in each guideway, and means to rotate thecams to move series of members successively.

32. In a forming apparatus, aleg-form, a plurality of guidewaysextending therefrom, a plurality of pressure members arranged in eachguideway along the form, an actuating cam common to the pressure membersin each guideway, and means common to plural pressure members forholding them in co operation with a cam.

33. In a forming apparatus, a leg-form, a plurality of guideways:extending therefrom,

a molding member movable in each guide-' way and cooperating with theform, each molding member consisting of a plurality of portions, andsprings between the por- 35. In a molding apparatus, an inner and tions.an outer mold, one of said molds comprising 10 34. In a formingapparatus, a leg-form, a a series of movable sections, and meanscomplurality of guidevvays extending therefrom, prising a series of camsfor controlling the and a plurality of independently yieldable movementof said movable sections.

molding members arranged in each guide In testimony whereof I havesigned my Way along the form and being movable into name to thisspecification. cooperation with the form. THOMAS H. SEELY.

